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The LB corps could get a shakeup after the L to the Cowboys
By Sean Wilkinson@Papa_Lurch Aug 21, 2019, 8:00am CDT
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65080057/1169071759.jpg.0.jpg "Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Rams")
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams second preseason game gave us clarity in a few areas, but also opened up a few others that the team has to touch up before solidifying the depth chart.
ILB
The injury to ILB Micah Kiser doesn’t provide as much clarity as one would believe. While Bryce Hager will have the first opportunity to prove he should be the starter next to Cory Littleton, Travin Howard and Dakota Allen are playing well and charging hard at Hager.
Hager will be around regardless of where he falls here due to special teams contributions, but he has a lot to prove in the next two weeks if he’s going to fend off Howard and Allen.
EDGE
What a difference a week makes. Last week, I was starting to lose confidence that EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo would ever make an impact for the Rams. I’m taking egg on the face for that one this week.
Okoronkwo balled out against the Cowboys and changed the narrative surrounding him instantly. We may have entered the game against the Cowboys wondering if he was going to make the roster, but we left contemplating how many snaps he’ll steal from Clay Matthews.
www.turfshowtimes.com
Handicapping Rams WR competition: Roster locks, contenders and long shots
By: Cameron DaSilva | 4 hours ago
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Final roster cuts are less than two weeks away, which means a lot of difficult decisions will be made very soon. The Los Angeles Rams have one of the deepest rosters in the league and a ton of talent at the top of the depth chart, making it difficult for backups to carve out roles.
There may not be a team in the NFL with a better group of wide receivers from top to bottom than the Rams. With three Pro Bowl-caliber starters, a quality No. 4 and a host of role players behind them, the Rams are deep at wide receiver.
With two preseason games remaining, we’re handicapping the competition unfolding on the depth chart. From locks to long shots, here’s how we see the battle right now.
Locks
Brandin Cook
After a terrific first season with the Rams, Cooks enters 2019 with even greater potential. His chemistry with Jared Goff is only going to grow, which once again makes him a threat to go over 1,000 yards.
Cooper Kupp
There appear to be no ill-effects from his torn ACL at this point in the rehab process. Kupp has looked great in practice and took part in just about every session, which is impressive for a player who suffered such a significant knee injury nine months ago.
Robert Woods
Woods is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. He garnered some respect from his peers this offseason when he was voted the 76th-best player in the NFL, but he still has room to grow. His biggest limitation is playing on a team with two other great receivers.
Josh Reynolds
The only way Reynolds doesn’t make the team is if the Rams trade him. That’s not going to happen, so he’s a lock. He looked like a starting-caliber player while filling in for Kupp last season, showing why the Rams think so highly of him. Reynolds would be a starter on a lot of NFL teams.
Contenders
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mike Thomas
Here’s where things get interesting. Thomas has apparently “separated himself” in the wide receiver competition, according to Sean McVay, but he’s still getting plenty of reps in the preseason. He’s certainly not a roster lock, but of all the contenders, he’s the closest to that status. He just finds ways to stick around and show enough potential to avoid being cut.
KhaDarel Hodge
Hodge was a preseason star last year but has been relatively quiet this preseason. After making three catches for 48 yards against Oakland, he didn’t have a single reception on just one target Saturday versus Dallas. It wasn’t because of a lack of playing time, either. He was out there for 43 snaps, the most of any Rams receiver. His stock is sliding a bit.
JoJo Natson
Natson is a tough player to pin down. He’s slippery with the ball in his hands and has outstanding quickness, but he struggles with ball security – something that reared its ugly head last season. He muffed a punt in the preseason opener, too, which didn’t help his cause. What he does have going for him is a touchdown catch on Saturday against the Cowboys.
Nsimba Webster
Webster would’ve been included in the long shots if not for Natson’s slipping stock and his impressive performance against Dallas. He caught all four of his targets for 38 yards, including a good off-schedule play after a bad snap to Brandon Allen. Webster’s speed and return ability make him an intriguing player for the Rams and he has a legitimate chance to make the final roster as an undrafted free agent.
Long shots
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Greene
Greene is a similar player to Webster, but he doesn’t have the same punt and kick return ability. On Saturday, he did catch four passes for a team-high 43 yards, and he should’ve had an even better night but a pass slipped through his arms on what would’ve been a difficult catch.
Austin Proehl
Proehl’s best chance of making the team comes on special teams as a returner. Unfortunately, he’s had very little room to run in that aspect and his opportunities on offense have been limited. Against the Cowboys, he caught one pass for minus-6 yards on a failed screen. Proehl has a steep uphill climb.
Alex Bachman
Bachman’s chances steepened after McVay announced Tuesday that he’s dealing with an injury in the area of where a hernia would be. That’s bad news for a player who’s already buried on the depth chart. If he gets healthy, he’ll need to stand out in the return game to have any shot of making the team.
Johnathan Lloyd
Lloyd is one of the longest shots on the roster and has a very slim chance of making the team. He doesn’t boast elite athleticism or traits and doesn’t contribute as a return specialist, either. Unless he stands out on special teams or has two huge performances to end the preseason, he’ll be on the outside looking in.
theramswire.usatoday.com
Los Angeles Rams roster bubble update: Preseason Week 3
Can Demby hang on as a reserve OL? Will Natson still be the KR/PR in 2 weeks?
By Sean Wilkinson@Papa_Lurch Aug 21, 2019, 10:00am CDT
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65080911/1030610824.jpg.0.jpg "Los Angeles Rams v New Orleans Saints")
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Preseason football isn’t meant to be pretty. Sometimes it’s a aspiring NFLer trying to show he belongs while other times it’s an established player having a bad night and placing himself in jeopardy of getting cut. It’s ultimately up to the coaches to decide which is which.
That’s where the Los Angeles Rams find themselves after two weeks in the preseason.
Jamil Demby
Demby is clearly out of his element at center and trending down, which is unfortunate for the Los Angeles Rams. They could use some depth at the position - especially given Aaron Neary’s suspension at the beginning of the regular season.
Fact is Demby isn’t playing well. He could make the initial roster then be placed on the practice squad when Neary returns, or he could be left off the roster from the get-go and the Rams could look elsewhere for depth.
JoJo Natson
Given his success in the past as a returner and his TD against the Cowboys, it’s hard to see Natson being left off the roster. But turnovers are never a good thing - especially during the season when you’re not entrenched on the roster.
Given the success of KhaDarel Hodge this preseason as a WR, Natson’s roster spot may not be as secure as we thought heading into camp.
EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
I was flat out wrong thinking that Okoronkwo could be on his way out. Props to him for showing up and making an impact. He looks safe after the Rams second preseason game.
www.turfshowtimes.com
By Sean Wilkinson@Papa_Lurch Aug 21, 2019, 8:00am CDT
The Los Angeles Rams second preseason game gave us clarity in a few areas, but also opened up a few others that the team has to touch up before solidifying the depth chart.
ILB
The injury to ILB Micah Kiser doesn’t provide as much clarity as one would believe. While Bryce Hager will have the first opportunity to prove he should be the starter next to Cory Littleton, Travin Howard and Dakota Allen are playing well and charging hard at Hager.
Hager will be around regardless of where he falls here due to special teams contributions, but he has a lot to prove in the next two weeks if he’s going to fend off Howard and Allen.
EDGE
What a difference a week makes. Last week, I was starting to lose confidence that EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo would ever make an impact for the Rams. I’m taking egg on the face for that one this week.
Okoronkwo balled out against the Cowboys and changed the narrative surrounding him instantly. We may have entered the game against the Cowboys wondering if he was going to make the roster, but we left contemplating how many snaps he’ll steal from Clay Matthews.
Los Angeles Rams position battle update: Preseason Week 3
The LB corps could get a shakeup after the L to the Cowboys
www.turfshowtimes.com
Handicapping Rams WR competition: Roster locks, contenders and long shots
By: Cameron DaSilva | 4 hours ago
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Final roster cuts are less than two weeks away, which means a lot of difficult decisions will be made very soon. The Los Angeles Rams have one of the deepest rosters in the league and a ton of talent at the top of the depth chart, making it difficult for backups to carve out roles.
There may not be a team in the NFL with a better group of wide receivers from top to bottom than the Rams. With three Pro Bowl-caliber starters, a quality No. 4 and a host of role players behind them, the Rams are deep at wide receiver.
With two preseason games remaining, we’re handicapping the competition unfolding on the depth chart. From locks to long shots, here’s how we see the battle right now.
Locks
Brandin Cook
After a terrific first season with the Rams, Cooks enters 2019 with even greater potential. His chemistry with Jared Goff is only going to grow, which once again makes him a threat to go over 1,000 yards.
Cooper Kupp
There appear to be no ill-effects from his torn ACL at this point in the rehab process. Kupp has looked great in practice and took part in just about every session, which is impressive for a player who suffered such a significant knee injury nine months ago.
Robert Woods
Woods is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. He garnered some respect from his peers this offseason when he was voted the 76th-best player in the NFL, but he still has room to grow. His biggest limitation is playing on a team with two other great receivers.
Josh Reynolds
The only way Reynolds doesn’t make the team is if the Rams trade him. That’s not going to happen, so he’s a lock. He looked like a starting-caliber player while filling in for Kupp last season, showing why the Rams think so highly of him. Reynolds would be a starter on a lot of NFL teams.
Contenders
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mike Thomas
Here’s where things get interesting. Thomas has apparently “separated himself” in the wide receiver competition, according to Sean McVay, but he’s still getting plenty of reps in the preseason. He’s certainly not a roster lock, but of all the contenders, he’s the closest to that status. He just finds ways to stick around and show enough potential to avoid being cut.
KhaDarel Hodge
Hodge was a preseason star last year but has been relatively quiet this preseason. After making three catches for 48 yards against Oakland, he didn’t have a single reception on just one target Saturday versus Dallas. It wasn’t because of a lack of playing time, either. He was out there for 43 snaps, the most of any Rams receiver. His stock is sliding a bit.
JoJo Natson
Natson is a tough player to pin down. He’s slippery with the ball in his hands and has outstanding quickness, but he struggles with ball security – something that reared its ugly head last season. He muffed a punt in the preseason opener, too, which didn’t help his cause. What he does have going for him is a touchdown catch on Saturday against the Cowboys.
Nsimba Webster
Webster would’ve been included in the long shots if not for Natson’s slipping stock and his impressive performance against Dallas. He caught all four of his targets for 38 yards, including a good off-schedule play after a bad snap to Brandon Allen. Webster’s speed and return ability make him an intriguing player for the Rams and he has a legitimate chance to make the final roster as an undrafted free agent.
Long shots
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Greene
Greene is a similar player to Webster, but he doesn’t have the same punt and kick return ability. On Saturday, he did catch four passes for a team-high 43 yards, and he should’ve had an even better night but a pass slipped through his arms on what would’ve been a difficult catch.
Austin Proehl
Proehl’s best chance of making the team comes on special teams as a returner. Unfortunately, he’s had very little room to run in that aspect and his opportunities on offense have been limited. Against the Cowboys, he caught one pass for minus-6 yards on a failed screen. Proehl has a steep uphill climb.
Alex Bachman
Bachman’s chances steepened after McVay announced Tuesday that he’s dealing with an injury in the area of where a hernia would be. That’s bad news for a player who’s already buried on the depth chart. If he gets healthy, he’ll need to stand out in the return game to have any shot of making the team.
Johnathan Lloyd
Lloyd is one of the longest shots on the roster and has a very slim chance of making the team. He doesn’t boast elite athleticism or traits and doesn’t contribute as a return specialist, either. Unless he stands out on special teams or has two huge performances to end the preseason, he’ll be on the outside looking in.
Handicapping Rams WR competition: Roster locks, contenders and long shots
We know who the locks are, but which lesser-known players have a chance to make the 53-man roster?
theramswire.usatoday.com
Los Angeles Rams roster bubble update: Preseason Week 3
Can Demby hang on as a reserve OL? Will Natson still be the KR/PR in 2 weeks?
By Sean Wilkinson@Papa_Lurch Aug 21, 2019, 10:00am CDT
Preseason football isn’t meant to be pretty. Sometimes it’s a aspiring NFLer trying to show he belongs while other times it’s an established player having a bad night and placing himself in jeopardy of getting cut. It’s ultimately up to the coaches to decide which is which.
That’s where the Los Angeles Rams find themselves after two weeks in the preseason.
Jamil Demby
Demby is clearly out of his element at center and trending down, which is unfortunate for the Los Angeles Rams. They could use some depth at the position - especially given Aaron Neary’s suspension at the beginning of the regular season.
Fact is Demby isn’t playing well. He could make the initial roster then be placed on the practice squad when Neary returns, or he could be left off the roster from the get-go and the Rams could look elsewhere for depth.
JoJo Natson
Given his success in the past as a returner and his TD against the Cowboys, it’s hard to see Natson being left off the roster. But turnovers are never a good thing - especially during the season when you’re not entrenched on the roster.
Given the success of KhaDarel Hodge this preseason as a WR, Natson’s roster spot may not be as secure as we thought heading into camp.
EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
I was flat out wrong thinking that Okoronkwo could be on his way out. Props to him for showing up and making an impact. He looks safe after the Rams second preseason game.
Los Angeles Rams roster bubble update: Preseason Week 3
Can Demby hang on as a reserve OL? Will Natson still be the KR/PR in 2 weeks?
www.turfshowtimes.com
